Hi there, this is a story about Mike. This is the story of his great, terrifying, mind-boggling, reality-shattering, crazy, whacky, scary, ridiculous, hilarious, life-altering, and galaxy-saving adventure. Do you like the title? It's what he becomes eventually! I'd tell you what it means, buuuut that would be ruining the story. Which is going to be Epic! And a slow burn. And long.
Really Long.
Like, Way Too Long!
I like long stories though, so, here's mine! Buckle up, because if you like sci-fi, fantasy, magic, superheroes, progression, or any variation thereof, that's what this story is all about.
Without further ado, enjoy!
Prologue
A Galaxy Far Beyond Our Own, When The Universe Was Young
A Great War of magic and science collided. Hundreds of years of conflict caused new heights of technology and learning on both sides to blossom and turn to increasingly novel methods of gaining the upper hand. Born out of desperation, the losing side of the conflict turned to a forbidden magic. And from it, an abomination was born.
Forsaken by it's creators the abomination passed out of all knowledge, adrift in the eddies of the void, never to be heard from again.
Or so they thought.
* * * * *
Thousands of years ago, a distant memory
She watched.
Her distant brothers, sisters, and cousins, all revelling in their children, in their gifts. One could hear the joy each one of them exuded, as it carried across an ocean of stars and distance. Great beasts, powerful espers, reality bending speedsters, matter manipulators, mind readers, the list went on.
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Pride shone in the Founders eyes, clearly impressed at the bountiful talents and gifts the new generation was exhibiting. The generation she was a part of.
She watched.
Her own gift was... Nothing.
Interesting, but normal.
Not strong, but enduring.
Not magical, but smart,
Not fast in body, but in mind.
Am I allowed to be disappointed? My gift has no magic, no talent, and nothing 'special' about it.
How could I possibly compare?..
She watched.
As did the Founders, and the Illuminated; the gifts of the Founders themselves. Until, expectantly, their gaze turned to her, the last and least of a long line of prestigious Gifted children.
By comparison she felt like an utter failure. She would never be able to join them in the Quest.
Her lineage, tarnished. Her shame, insurmountable.
Could I still be useful in some way?
As expected, the Founders' gaze didn't linger for long. Disappointed, they bent themselves toward children with far more useful gifts. The Illuminated however...
Her thoughts were cut short by an enormous presence. A presence that dwarfed her own by many magnitudes.
She couldn't help but sense Him gazing at her.
A tremor rolled through her.
No.
She shivered.
Impossible.
Why is He here? Surely I wasn't so useless as to be sacrificed? I could be useful! Please! Don't let it end like this! I haven't even had a chance! I can make something of these gifts, they're not bad, truly! There must be something to them, anything, please just spare...!
"Peace"
It was as if the word itself had fulfilled its purpose. Irresistible power was at its core, and yet as it barrelled into her psyche, she knew it was said without a fraction of its potential.
She became still and accepted her fate. She was at peace. She understood that this was her end, and yet her only regret was...
Wait...she heard...laughter?
Was He...chuckling?
"Child, you're hilarious!" He cackled
...Huh?
"This isn't your 'End'. Far from it actually, you really do honour your family with your extraordinary Gift!"
But, her gift was...
"You will usher in the dawn of a new era in the Quest. All you need do is raise your gift well, and in time, maybe it will even rival us."
She was speechless. How is this possible?
"You're young, so it's understandable. You have no idea what you have do you? I promise, you're going to get strong, long after your brothers and sisters."
Ouch! Well That kinda sucked... But if what He said was true...
"It's not nearly as bad as you think. Learn about your power and be responsible for your gift. Do that, and you can grow in the quiet certainty that we'll come back one day, and grant the Link to you as well when you're ready."
Thank you!
She sensed His presence fade as he departed. But before he was truly gone...
Child, you don't see your gift for its potential do you?
She admitted to her doubts.
For the trials you will yet face, I'll free you of this burden at least.
She was granted knowledge and understanding.
And this time, she watched.
No.
Now... She saw.